Suburban Chicago teen accused in death of girl, 11

MUNDELEIN — A 14-year-old suburban Chicago girl faces a first-degree murder charge in the killing of an 11-year-old girl who lives in her home, officials said Wednesday.

Lake County State's Attorney Michael Nerheim said prosecutors approved the charge Wednesday in the slaying of the younger girl, whose body was found in Mundelein a day earlier. A juvenile court judge will decide whether to confirm the charge and keep the teenager in custody at a closed hearing Wednesday afternoon.

An autopsy was being performed. Mundelein Police Chief Eric Guenther said the girl had multiple stab wounds.

Authorities haven't released the names of the victim or the suspect nor have they said how the two are related.

The girls lived in the same Mundelein home, about 30 miles northwest of Chicago, and attended the same Lake County school, investigators said at a news conference Wednesday.

Guenther said the older girl called 911 just before 8:30 a.m. and answered the door when police arrived minutes later.

"This is a very intricate investigation that is of the utmost sensitivity," Guenther said.

No adult was home at the time. The discovery of the body Tuesday morning prompted a brief lockdown at nearby schools.

"We are very confident this is an isolated incident and there are no other concerns to the neighbors and or the community around it," Guenther said.

Nerheim said he'll decide in several weeks whether to try to have the case moved from juvenile court to an adult court.